Panoramic attachment for cameras.



No. 690,570. Patanted Ian. 7, I902.

H. L. FISHER. PANORAMIUATTAGHIENT FOR CAMERA5. I

(Application filed Mar. 8, 1900.) v (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet l.

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(Application filed Mar. 3, 1900.)

- No. 690,570. Patented Jan. 7, I902.

.00 Model.) 2 Sheets-Shed 2, 1

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UNITED STATES PAT ENT OFFICE.

HARVEY L. FISHER, QF'IOHIOAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY DIRECT AND MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO BENJAMIN J. DOWNER.

PANORAMIC 'ATTACHMENT Foa CAMERAS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 690,570, dated January 7, 1902.

Application filed March 3, 1900. Serial No. 7 l96i (N0 model.)

which the following is a description, reference,

being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

My invention relates to cameras which are -adapted to be partly or completely revolved upon a vertical axis for the purpose of taking a panoramic view and in which the film is automatically drawn across the exposureopening in proper time as the camera revolves; and it consists particularly in a novel attachment or operating device for revolving the camera and drawing the film acrossthe exposure-opening, which attachment or operating device may be readilyused with any ordinary camera to which it is adapted, and thereby serve to convert such camera into a panoramic camera.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective View of acamera mounted upon a tripod and equipped with my novel operating attachment for taking panoramic views; Fig 2-, a middle vertical section through the camera properand the operating attachment,

omitting details of the camera not essential to an explanation of my invention; Fig. 3, a horizontal section through the camera proper; Fig.4, a perspective view of the operating attachment with the camera removed; Fig. 5,

' a sectional plan view of Fig. 4: immediately beneath the top plate thereof; Fig; 6, a sectional plan view corresponding to Fig. 5, but in a lower plane; and Fig. 7, a detail of the governor device.

The camera A, Fig. '1, in connection with which I have illustrated my invention, is -a camera of familiar construction, in which the unexposed film is carried on a supply-spool B at the forward left-hand corner of the camera, Fig. 3, and led thence rearward along the side of the camera to an idle roller 0 at the left-hand rear corner of the camera, thence across the back of the camera and over a similar idle roller D at the right-hand rear corner of the camera, and thence forward around the storage-spool E at the right-hand forward corner of the camera, the spools B and E being removable, as usual, and the storage-spool E being provided at the top of the camera with a thumb-piece E, by which the spool may be turned to draw forward and wind up the film when the camera is being used in the ordinary way. The only additions I make to this ordinary hand-camera for the purpose of adapting it for use as a panoramic camera are a plate'F, removably inserted in theback of the camera and provided with a vertical exposure-slit G at its middle, and a depending extension H of the spindle of the storagespool E, Fig. 2, suitably formed to engage and be turned by the upper end of a rotating spindle of the operating attachment, as hereinafter described. I 1

The panoramic operating attachmentwhich constitutes my invention is adapted to turn upon a vertical spindle or other suitable bearing secured to the top of the tripod or support and to have the camera secured to it, so as to turn with it. A spring-actuated mechanism carried by and forming part of the attachment is so connected with the fixed spinpermitted to do so and is also connected with the film-operating means of the camera, so as to properly advance the film as the camera revolves upon its support. I

In the presentinstance the attachment comdie or support as to revolve the camera when prises a framework composed of a bottom plate-I and top plate J, rigidly secured together by four corn er-posts K and adapted to turn upon a fixed spindle or post L, which latter constitutes the pivot or axial support of the attachment. In the form shown in the accompanying drawings its lower end-is provided with an enlargement or base L, adapted to rest upon the top L of the tripod, Fig.2, and having a central. screw-threaded hole adapted to receive the upper end of a clamping-screw a, passed upward through the top of.

the tripod and by means of which the spindle L may be firmly secured to the tripod.

Fast upon the spindle L, in the present instance immediately above the bottom plate I of the framework, is a large gear-wheel M,

which meshes with a smaller gear or pinion N, East upon the under side of a spring drum or casing O, which is mounted to turn upon roof/ a vertical spindle P and contains a coiled be employed to initially wind up the coiledspring Q within the drum 0 or to readjust the tension of said spring at any subsequent time it is rotatably mounted in the framework and normally held in fixed position against the stress of the spring Q by a pawl R, pivoted to the under side of the top plate J and engaging a ratchet S, fast upon the spindle. The upper end of the spindle projects above the top plate J, Fig. 4, and is squared to receive a winding-key; but, as before stated, this keyis employed only for the purpose of initially winding up the spring Q or for-readjusting it when necessary;

Secured to and wound around the springdrum 0 is one end of a cord T, whose opposite'end is secured to and wound around a cone U, fast upon a spindle V, rotatably mounted at its upper and lower ends in the top and bottom plates of 'the'framework and having its upper end projecting above the top plate J, as shown in Fig. 4. This spindle V iscoincident with the spindle of the film-storage spool :E of the camera when the latter isplaced in position upon the operating attachment, as in Fig. 2, and the depending extension H of the spindle of said spool is provided'with a recess or socket,which fits over the squared upper end of the spindle V, and

thereby locks the two spindles together, so that when the spindle V is turned, as hereinafter described, it will turn the film-storagespool and draw forward the film andwind it upnpon said spool. Any suitable form of connection between thespindle V and storage-spool spindle for this purpose may of course'be employed; but it is convenient to employ that which I have illustrated, forthe reason that the squared upper end of the spindle V is adapted to receive the same winding-key which fits the squared upper end of thespindle P. If any other form of connection-between the spindle Vand storage-spool spindle'be desired, however, the lower end of the'spindle V may be projected below the bottom plate of the framework and squared to receive'the windingkey at that end.

Aratchet WVIis'made fast upon the spindle 'V immediately above the bottom plate I of the framework, Fig. 6, and is engaged by the inner'hooked end of a holding-pawl X of lever form, whose opposite end projects beyond the framework andserves as a handle, by means of which the pawl may be engaged with and disengaged from the ratchet. A spring Y, bearing-againstthe innerend of the pawl X,

'is-soarranged as to serve to yieldingly hold the pawl in engagement with the ratchet when engaged therewith and to hold it entirely out of engagement with the ratchet when disengaged therefrom.

' sa a Under the above construction and arrangement of parts it will be understood that if the winding-key be applied to the cone-spindle V (the holding-pawl X being at the time in engagement with the ratchet W) and the spindle turned in a direction to draw the cord Tfrom thespring-drum Oand wind it upon the cone U the spring-drum will be turned in a direction opposite to that in which the spring Q tends to turn it andsaid spring be put under additional tension and thatit' the holding-pawl X be then disengaged from the ratchet of the cone-spindle Vthe spring Q will at once turn the drum 0 backward until the cord T has been completely withdrawn from the cone U and again wound upon the drum 0. The turning of the drum 0 backward to normal position, as described, will not only serve to rotate the cone U and spindle V as the :cord T is withdrawn from the cone, but will also serve to turn the entire framework upon the fixed spindle or post L, constituting its pivotal axis, since the drum 0 is geared by its pinion N to the gear-wheel M, fast upon said fixed spindle or post L, as heretofore described, and in the present instancethe length of the cord :1 and proportion of the parts are such that themovement'permitted the drum '0 by the unwinding of the full length of 'the cord T from the cone U-and winding of .it upon the drum 0 will serve to give the framework'of the operating attachment one complete revolution.

With the foregoing explanation of the construction and modeot' operation of'rny novel operating attachment itsemployment in-con nection with a hand-camerafor the purpose of converting the'latter-into apanoramic ca1nera maybe briefly explained. For thispurpose it is simply necessary thatthecamera proper-be secured in some suitable manner upon the top of the operating attachment,

with the spindle of its film-storage spool engaged with or connectedto the cone-spindle V, whereupon by disengaging the pawlXfrom the ratchet 'W on said cone-spindle(the latter having been previouslytuined with the winding-key and the cord T withdrawn from the drum 0 and wound upon theconeU, as described) the spring Q will be'permitted to turn the drum 0 backward to normal position and Withdrawthe cord '1 fromthe cone'U and wind it up again upon the drum Opwiththe result that the operating attachment,with the camera secured to it, willbe given a complete revolution, while during such revolution the cone-spindle V will turn the storage-spool and draw forward the film from the supply-spool across the exposure-slit G in the plate F at the back of the camera and wind it upon the storage-spool E.

In the present instance for the .purpose of removably securing thecamera upon thetop of the operating attachment I have provided the top plate J of the latter at its two righthand corners with upturned plates Z, Fig. 4, against which the right side of the camera may fit, and to the middle of the opposite side of the storage-spool gradually increases as the I I I the spring Q and causing it to turn at as or connected with it.

h plate I have secured a'si'milar upturn d plate Z',in which is mounted a Clamping-screw of the camera, and thereby secure it to the operating attachment.

Inasmuch as the size of the roll of film upon film is drawn forward-from the supply-spool and wound upon the. storage-spool and inasmuch as it is desirable that all parts of the film shall have the same time exposure dur- 'ing the revolution of the camera, I have provided meansfor gradually reducing the speed of the storage-spool as the camera revolves and the film is wound upon said spool, said means consisting in the cone U upon'the actuating-spindle V for the storagespool.' The cord T is secured to this cone at its lower and larger end and is wound upward on'the same when the spindle is turned with the key to withdraw the cord from the drum 0 preparatory to an operation of the camera,

and it results from this that at the beginning of the revolution ofthe camera and withdrawal of the cord-T from the cone U the withdrawal of acomparatively short length of the cord w-illserve togive the cone and spindle'a complete revolution, while as" the operation proceeds the withdrawal of agradually in creasing length of cord is-required to give the cone and spindle additional successiverevo Inasmuch as the spring-drumD is of uniform diameter and turns at an'approxi: mately uniform'speed, the withdrawal ofthe cord T from the cone U will serve" to turn lutions.

the spindle'V, and, consequently the storageentire length- The sameresultof turning the storage-spool at a gradually-decreasing rate of speed might, of course,-be "accomplished in substantially the same manner by providing the spring-drum O with the cone surface and employing the winding-surface of uniform diameter upon the spindle V,

thereby simply transposing the two windingsurfaces.

For the purpose of regulating the speed of movement of the drum 0 under the action of nearly a uniform rate of speed as possible any suitable brake or governor may be appliedto; In the present instance I have illustrated a governor of familiar type,

but embodying a novel feature of especial B to a vertical spindle 0, provided with flat' projecting bladesor fans D, Figs. 1, 4C, and 5. Theseblades D are adjustable upon the spindle O, as shown in Fig. '7, to enable them The drum 0 has se- "to be placed at difierent angles to their plane ofrevolution. When placed -at right angles to such plane, the air will of course'offer'the maximum resistance to their revolution, and

such resistance will decrease accordingly as i the. blades are set at angles more nearly approaching their plane of revolution. By adj usting the blades at different angles, therefore, the effect of the governor upon the speed of revolution of the spring-drum may be regulated as desired,the drum being permitteda minimum speed when the blades are set at right angles to their plane of movement and permitted a greater speed as the blades are adjusted toward their plane of movement. In this manner and by this means the speed of revolution of the camera may be regulated:

so as to cause a greater or less time exposure during its revolution in accordance with the condition of the light at the time of use.

In Fig. 6 there is shown a coiled spring E surrounding the hub of the large gear-wheel M and secured at its inner end to said hub and. at its outer end to one of the corner-posts Kof the framework. This is acomparatively weak spring'and is employed simply for the purpose of preserving a firm engagement be tween the teeth of the wheel M and the teeth of the pinion N on the spring-drum O and preventing loose play between them.. While desirable for this purpose, it is not in anyway essential and maybe omitted.

It will be understood that the only thing essential in respect 'to the [connection between themotor-spring Q and the fixed post L'or pivotal support of the operating attach ment is that the motor-spring shall operateto revolve the attachment when permitted to act for that purpose. Such being the case, other forms of connection may obviously be substituted for the fixed gear-wheel M and the pinion N, gearing it to the casing O o'fYthe motor-spring.

Having thus fully described my invention, ICIaim- 7 Q 7 1. A panoramic operating attachment for cameras adapted to revolve upon a vertical axis and to have the'camera removably secured to it, said attachment'comprising a spring'jactuated mechanism suitably connected with the pivotal support of the opera ating attachment and with the film-operating means of the camera to revolve the camera upon its pivotal support and properly ad- -vance the .film within the camera, substantially as described.

2. A'panoramic operating.attachinentcfor cameras adapted to revolve upon a vertical axis and to have the camera removably. secured to it, said attachment comprising a spring-actuated mechanism suitably connected to the pivotal support of the attach: ment and to the storage-spool of the. camera to revolve the camera upon itspivotal support and to' turn the storage-spool todraw forward and wind up the film within the camera, substantially as described.

- axis and .to have the camera removably sental support and to :tunn athezstoragesspcolitoi camerasadaptedto revolve :upon .a:venticalf cured :to :it, said attachmentcomprisingga fro-f rtatable spindle adapted toEbe cQnnec'ted-Wwith crating attachment, and a spning actuatcdr; mechanis-mmonnected with the rpivotalzsu'p-i portofztheioperatingattachment :t-o rev-olive"; the .attachln en't :upon its.supponhandeparatj. ingrto turn "the rotatable sspin'dle 58213 ,;.-a ;grad- -orother-support,a suitable :frame mounted;

to :have;a.cameradetachahlyseculiediin -p0SiH :tion iupon .it, ;a rotatable spindle mounted :in

cameras, comprising averticalspindle orgpostf support, :aifixed gear-wheelwsecured to said? spindle or -post, a suitable "frame m-ounteditoi ated'drum or .wheel mounted in the frame; andgearedfto :saidrfixedxwheel and:also.con-$ .rotatable spindle .to advance the :-film- ,.-within:

support, a suitable (frame mounted to itzurnf -to be connected with the film-operating meansg 3. A-panoramicoperating attachment for: cameras adapted :to revolve upon Ya-vertical cured to it, saidattachment.compnisingarotatablespindle adapted to ibO'OOH'HQGtGd with the .storagespool spindle of theicamera-iwhen the latter is secured in position mponz'theroperating attachment, and .a springeactnated mechanism .connected :to said spindle @and it-o= the :pivotalsupportof 31711 6 operating:at-tac'h-' .ment, fto=revolve theattachment .npon its-gpitvdraw :forward and mind .up the zfilm witliinthe 'camera, substantially=asid escnibed.

4. .A panoramicioperating attachment ,tt'or;

axisiand to have the camera vrem cW-ablysei the .storage spool spindleofthe:cameravwihen the :latter .isisecured in position iuponitheiopnaily-d-ecreasing rate .of speeddiufing $511,011} revolution [of fthe attachment iuponiitsisnp port, "substantially as andr-for. the purpose described. 5

5. YA .panora-mic .--operating rattachmcntrf-orf cameras, comprisingaverticalspindleor 1305132 adapted .to :b i detachablyj secnred @imwtripod to aturn upon said Ifi'xed spindle :andadapted said frame .andadapted .tozbevcounecte'd with. the sfilm-operatingmeans 01f thie-camermandi a-spring-actuated mechanism mounted inasaid} ramejand :connected to said :fixed and metatable spindles, rfOI' revolving "the frame :upon? thefixed spindle and turning the .rotatable" spindle to advancethe filmwithinthecamera, substantially as described. I

6. vAl-panoramic operating attachmentjfori adaptedato be secured IEO a tripod {Qll' .cthe-r;

turn upon .said spindle,.:a rotatable spindle mounted in said .f-rame,:and :a esp-ringr'actunected -Wibh fh6l0litiflbl6 spindle,-forzthe:purpose of revolving the frame andi-tui'ningthe the-camera, substantially asdescribed.

7. A panoramic operating attachmentfor; cameras,-.comprisingaverticalspindle oripostj adapted'to be secured to a 'tripodor ioth'er;

upon said spindle and adapted to :have the camera detachably. secured toit, a rotatable spindle mounted in said frame andadaptedi of the camera, and a spring-actuated meek-g :anism mounted :in said frame andconnected with the sfixedspindle or post itO revolve the frame, and operating fiiO iturn :the rotatable spindle rat :a gradually decreasing rate of speed during such -revolution .of :the iframe, substantially ,as .and for the :IlllIPOSG described.

8. Azrpanonamic operating attachment for 'camenas comprisiuga verticalspindleor post adaptedatoibe secured to a ':tripod or other support, ;a;.=su'i table fname mounted to turn IlihQlTGQll :and adapted :to have the camera deitachably securedto lit, a rotatable spindle i vmolrntedimsaid frame andadapted'to be con- .nected-iwithztheifilmsoperating means of the camera, a spr ing:actuateddrmnor wheel also mounted in said frame and @connected with the :fixed spindle to revolve :the frame :about ssai'd-spindle,. andya icord vwound at one .end aroundqthe springadrum and at its opposite end-around ttheirota-table spindle, the minding sunfacetupon which oneend :ot'zsaid cord is-Woundibeiugconeashaped,:forxthe purpose described.

19.. gAlpanoramicoperating attachment :for -cam eras,.com.pnising.a vertical spindle-on post -adaptedstozgbesecuredito atripod or oth er=sup- :port, ,aisuitahle frame mo unted to turnwthereon and adapted into ,ihave {the camera detachablyisecured todt, :arotatablespindle.mount= ed iimsaidazframe-anded-aptedito be connected iWi th t-heifi 1111 10, peratingvmeansiof s-thecamera, aiwindingecone:secured@uponsaid spindle, a

sspringmctuatedidrnm oriwheel valso mounted in saidiframe and connected with the :fi-xed ssp'indle ito revolvewtheaframeiabout said spim die, and;a-cord woundatone end upon :the spring-drumandati-tsiopposite end; uponsaid icon-e, fforithe punpose-.-described.

110.. ,A panoramicioperatingattachmentafor 1cameras,comprising-averticalspindle oripost .adapteditoibe secured 'to-atripod or other sup- Y port,;asuitableframemountedato:turnzthereionv-andsafl zptcd .1110 have {the camera-secured to iii}, :a irotatabl-e spindle mounted in said frameziniposi-tionito coincidewith thespindle of rthestorage-spoohof ith-e camera .when mhe .lat-terrisplaced in iposi-tion npon said frame .andmdaptedat :such time to interlock .with said spool-spindle, and .a spring-actuated mechanism connected to the fixed and rotaatablesspindlesifor :revolving the frame and :t-u-rningthestorage-spool of :the camera, :sub- ,vs-tantially as described.

all. .Atpanoramicoperating attachment-for cameras;comprisingavertical spindleonpost adapted1+tobesecured toastripod or-other-sup- .onand adapted 1,130 ihave the camera detachs-ablysecured .t'o it, a.rotatable.spindle mo-unt- -ed.in saidzframe andadapted to'coincide with the spindle, of the storage-spool. of the. camera When-thelatteris placed in. position 11 P01111118 frameandto interlock with such spindle, a

.springractu-ateddrum. or :wheel alsomoun'ted .in said framewand connected with the fixed spindle or post to revolve the frame about said spindle, and a cord wound at one end upon said spring-drum and at its opposite end when the latter is placed in position upon the frame and to interlock with such spindle, a windingcone secured upon said rotatable spindle, a spring-actuated drum or wheel also mounted in said frame and connected with the fixed spindle or post to revolve the frame about said spindle, and a cord wound at one end upon said drum and at its opposite end upon the cone. on the rotatable spindle, for the purpose described.

13. In panoramic operatingmeans for cameras, the combination of suitable spring-actuated mechanism for revolving the camera,

and means intermediate said mechanism and the film-operating means of the camera operating to advance the film at a uniform speed during the revolution of the camera, substantially as described.

14:. In panoramic operating means for canieras, the combination of suitable spring-actuated mechanism for revolving the camera, a rotatable spindle foractuating the film-operatingmeans of the camera, and means intermediate said spring-aetuated mechanism and said rotatable spindle for turning the latter at a gradually decreasing rate of speed during the revolution of the camera, substantially as described.

15. In panoramic operating means for eam eras, the combination of a springactuated drum, a rotatable spindle for actuating the film-operating means of the camera, and a cord wound at one end upon said spindle and at its opposite end upon said drum, the winding-surface for one end of said cord being tapered or cone-shaped, substantially as and for the purpose described.

16. In panoramic operating means for cameras, the combination of a spring-actuated drum, a rotatable spindle for actuating the film-operating means of the camera, a winding-cone secured upon said spindle, and a cord wound at one end upon said cone and at its opposite end upon said spring-actuated drum, substantially as and for the purpose described. i

p 17. In panoramic operating means for cameras, the combinationof a spring-actuated drum, a rotatable spindle for actuating the film-operating means of the camera, a cord wound at one end upon said spindle and at its opposite end upon said drum, a ratchet secured to said spindle, and a holding-pawl adapted to be engaged with said ratchet when the cord 'is withdrawn from the drumfand wound upon the spindle, and to be disengaged from the ratchet to permit the spring-actuated drum to turn the spindle and rewind the cord upon the drum, substantially as described.

18.; In panoramicoperating means for cameras, the combination of a spring-actuated drum, a rotatable spindle-for actuating the film-operating means of the camera, a cone securedupon said spindle, a cord wound at one ,end upon said cone andat its opposite end upon the spring-actuated drum, a ratchet secured uponthe conerspindle, and a holdin pawl adapted to be engaged with said ratchet when the cone-spindle is turned to withdraw the cord from the spring-drum and wind it upon the c0ne, and to be disengaged therefrom to permit the spring-drum to turn the cone-spindle and withdraw the cord and rewind it upon the drum, substantially as described.

HARVEY L. FISHER.

Witnesses:

LEonoRA WISEMAN, Bnssrn SHADBOLI. 

